Frame hanger system

ABSTRACT

A frame hanging article and method are provided whereby the article is suited for hanging frames and adjusting vertical position of a frame hanging on a wall.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Persons with experience hanging picture frames know that a frame affixedwith a hanging wire is preferred for at least the reason that adjustingthe horizontal level of the frame is easier when hung on a wire used incommon practice. However, wire frame hanging systems have two distinctdifficulties. It is often difficult to mate the wire with the mountedhanging assembly. Additionally, it is difficult to alter the verticalheight of a hanging frame once the hanging assembly is mounted on amounting surface or wall without removal of the mounting device. Thepresent invention addresses these difficulties and provides for articlesand a system suitable for hanging frames.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention is an article for hanging aframe comprising:

a main body, whereby said main body has a first end configured to mounton a mounting surface or wall and a second end, whereby the main body isconfigured such that said second end extends outward when mounted; and

a retaining portion on said second end configured to receive a hangingmember attached to a frame.

In one embodiment, the main body first end, second end, and retainingportion is formed of a single unitary structure.

The article outward extension is configured to move toward the mountingsurface or wall when the hanging member is mated therewith.

In a preferred embodiment, the hanging member is a frame wire.

In one embodiment, the first end includes a plurality of openings forselectively mounting said article.

In one embodiment, the invention is an article for hanging a framecomprising:

a mounting assembly; and

a frame hanging body slidably secured within said assembly.

In one embodiment, the hanging body includes a plurality of serratedteeth or knurling constructed and arranged to interact with a lockingmechanism incorporated on said mounting assembly.

The mounting assembly includes locking means for locking said framehanging body into position.

Also contemplated is a method for hanging a frame comprising:

providing a hanger body according to the present invention;

providing a frame affixed with hanging means for hanging said frame;

mounting said first end of said hanger body on a mounting surface orwall;

engaging said hanging means with said hanger body.

The invention further includes a method for hanging a frame comprising:

providing a mounting assembly according to the present invention;

providing a frame affixed with hanging means for hanging said frame;

affixing and locking said hanging body into position utilizing saidmounting assembly; engaging said hanging means with said hanger body.

The method further includes:

removing said engaged hanging means;

unlocking said hanging body;

changing the position of said mounting body;

affixing and locking said hanging body into position utilizing saidmounting assembly;

engaging said hanging means with said hanger body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view with frame in position for hanging.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a frame mounted.

FIG. 4 is cut away perspective view of a frame mounted.

FIG. 5 is a side view sequential step demonstrative of a frame hangingaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view sequential step demonstrative of a frame hangingaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view sequential step demonstrative of a frame hangingaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view sequential step demonstrative of a frame hangingaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view sequential step demonstrative of a frame hangingaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view one embodiment of a hanger of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 is a front view one embodiment of a hanger of the presentinvention.

FIG. 12 is a side view one embodiment of a hanger of the presentinvention.

FIG. 12A is a side view one embodiment of a hanger of the presentinvention.

FIG. 13 is a front view one embodiment of a hanger of the presentinvention.

FIG. 14 is a front view one embodiment of a hanger of the presentinvention.

FIG. 15 is a front view one embodiment of a hanger of the presentinvention.

FIG. 16 is a front view one embodiment of a hanger of the presentinvention.

FIG. 16A is a front view one embodiment of a hanger of the presentinvention.

FIG. 17 is a side view one embodiment of a hanger of the presentinvention.

FIG. 18 is a front view one embodiment of a hanger of the presentinvention.

FIG. 19 is a front view one embodiment of a hanger of the presentinvention.

FIG. 20 is a front view one embodiment of a hanger of the presentinvention.

FIG. 21 is a front view one embodiment of a hanger of the presentinvention.

FIG. 22 is a side view partial cross section of one hanger of thepresent invention.

FIG. 23 is a front view one embodiment of a hanger of the presentinvention.

FIG. 24 is a side view partial cross section of one hanger of thepresent invention.

FIG. 25 is a front view one embodiment of a hanger of the presentinvention.

FIG. 26 is a side view partial cross section of one hanger of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention relates generally to an article, system and methodfor hanging picture frames.

In one embodiment, as demonstrated in FIGS. 1-9, the system 10 includesa hanger body 16 configured with a wire retaining terminal end 30.Hanger body 16 is constructed and arranged to interact with framehanging wire 14 of frame 12. As understood in the art, frame hangers arerated to accept a particularized weight. The hanger body of the presentinvention is similarly rated with an important novel exception, theweight applied to body 16 causes body 16 to move from an extendedposition to a position along wall 20 as demonstrated in sequential FIGS.5-9. Hanger body 16 is constructed and arranged to be rated forparticularized weight in which a frame with a weight imparts an amountof force on wire 14 and moves wire 14.

Hanger body 16 is secured to a wall 20 with fastener 18.

Fastener 18 is any fastener known in the art including, but not limitedto, nails, wall hanger tacks, and the like. Wire 14 is positioned withinparameter 26 that includes the region 24 through which wire 14 willcontact body 16 (as best seen in FIGS. 12 and 12A, where 12 showssecuring with a nail or hanging tack 18 having a head or as in FIG. 12 awith a nail or tack incorporated onto contact body 16, said incorporatednail or tack presented as 18 a, wherein the embodiment of FIG. 12 a is aunitary configuration including nail 18 a and body 16.). As shown insequential FIGS. 5-9, wire 14 is positioned in region 26 that includeshanger opening 28. Once in position, frame 12 is lowered on wall 20until wire 14 contacts body 16. As wire 14 is positioned shown bydirectional arrow 22, downward force is imparted on body 16. Wire 14ultimately contacts retaining curve 28 formed near terminal end 30. Asframe 12 is lowered downward force on body 16 directs body 16 to uncurlin the direction shown by directional arrow 32 of FIG. 8. Ultimately,frame 12 is suspended on wire 14 inserted into retaining curve 38 formedon terminal end 32 of body 16, as best seen in FIG. 9.

The configuration of hanger body 16 shown in FIGS. 1-9 is advantageousover prior hanging systems in that wire 14 is more easily paired withthe hanger 16 as desired. Since body of hanger 16 is away from wall,wire 14 is less inclined to contact or hang from fastener 18 makingdistribution of the wire weight less likely to pull fastener 18 from thewall.

Once hanger 16 is completely extended, it has a somewhat planerorientation in relation to wall 20 as shown in FIGS. 9-10.

Also contemplated in the present invention are embodiments of the hangerbody as demonstrated in FIGS. 13-16.

FIG. 13 shows hanger 16 b having a plurality of hanging cavitiesincorporated thereon where a user can select a particular hanging cavityfor engaging fastener 18 and thus select the vertical distance in whichframe 12 is positioned on wall 20.

FIG. 14 shows hanger 16 c having a plurality of hanging cavities beingcircular openings incorporated thereon where a user can select aparticular hanging cavity for engaging fastener 18 and thus select thevertical distance in which frame 12 is positioned on wall 20. Additionalfasteners 18 can be used to increase strength of the system.

FIG. 15 shows hanger 16 d having a plurality of hanging cavities beingenclosed tabular openings incorporated thereon where a user can select aparticular hanging cavity for engaging fastener 18 and thus select thevertical distance in which frame 12 is positioned on wall 20.

FIG. 16 shows hanger 16 e having a three hanging cavities, for usingmultiple fasteners 18, incorporated thereon where a user can select aparticular hanging cavity for engaging fastener 18. Additional fasteners18 can be used to increase strength of the system.

FIG. 16A shows hanger 16 f having a plurality of hanging bodiesincorporated thereon where a user can hang multiple frames 20 on asingle article. Also, this configuration prevents tilting of a framehung on this type of hanger.

In one embodiment, as demonstrated in FIGS. 21 through 24 serrated bodyportion 36 (portion 36 can also be knurled or roughened) inserts intobody holder 40 and has incorporated thereon lock ball 38 that isconstructed and arranged to act with lockable access slot 42. Asdemonstrated in FIG. 22, serrated body portion 36 is inserted throughbody holder 40 whereby each engagement is with lock ball 38. A user willcontinue to pass serrated body 36 in the direction as demonstrated inFIG. 22 until a desired length of serrated body 36 is extending outwardthrough body holder 40. As described herein, once hanger body 36 ispositioned as desired wire 14 on frame 12 is engaged therein and frameis hung as described above. If height adjustment is desired, themechanism can be unlocked and, as demonstrated in FIGS. 23 and 24,adjustment can be made by pulling on ring 44 and altering position ofbody 36 followed by a subsequent engagement of the locking mechanismonce a desired position is obtained.

In one embodiment as in FIGS. 25 and 25, latch 50 engages body 36 andprovides adjustment in height.

As demonstrated in FIGS. 23-26, similarly engage body 36 with member 44and ring 46 that allows adjustment, even when a frame is hanging on body36.

As stated above, when hanging frame 12 with a hanging wire 14 on amounting surface 20 whereby the mounting surface 20 is most often awall, it is often difficult to make wire 14 with a wire hanger body 16.In one embodiment, the present invention as demonstrated in FIGS. 1through 12A provides a configuration whereby hang your body 16 extendsoutward from wall 20 in order to more easily receive wire 14 and hangframe 12.

In another embodiment of the present invention as demonstrated in FIGS.13-15, the vertical position of a frame 12 attached to a wall 20utilizing hanging wire 14 is adjustable based on the configurationsdemonstrated in FIGS. 13 to 15. In these configurations each of anger 16b, 16 c, 16 d, are adjustable vertically on wall 20. This adjustableconfiguration provides that once nail 18 is mounted onto wall 20 and itis subsequently desired to alter the vertical height of frame 12, a usermerely adjusts and selects a particularized opening thus altering thevertical height without the need for removing nail 18.

While the invention has been described in its preferred form orembodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that thisdescription has been given only by way of example and that numerouschanges in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, includingthe combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:
 1. An article for hanging a frame comprising: a main body,whereby said main body has a first end configured to mount on a mountingsurface or wall and a second end, whereby the main body is configuredsuch that said second end extends outward when mounted; and a retainingportion on said second end configured to receive a hanging memberattached to a frame.
 2. The article of claim 1 wherein said main bodyhaving said first end, second end, and retaining portion is formed of asingle unitary structure.
 3. The article of claim 1 wherein said outwardextension is configured to move toward the mounting surface or wall whenthe hanging member is mated therewith.
 4. The article of claim 1 whereinsaid hanging member is a frame wire or flat piece of metal for hangingsaid frame.
 5. The article of claim 1 wherein said first end include aplurality of openings for selectively mounting said article.
 6. Anarticle for hanging a frame comprising: a mounting assembly; and a framehanging body slidably secured within said assembly.
 7. The article ofclaim 6 wherein said hanging body includes a plurality of at least oneof serrated teeth, a knurled surface, or a roughened surface constructedand arranged to interact with a locking mechanism incorporated on saidmounting assembly.
 8. The article of claim 6 wherein said mountingassembly includes locking means for locking said frame hanging body intoposition.
 9. A method for hanging a frame comprising: providing a hangerbody according to claim 1; providing a frame affixed with hanging meansfor hanging said frame; mounting said first end of said hanger body on amounting surface or wall; engaging said hanging means with said hangerbody.
 10. A method for hanging a frame comprising: providing a mountingassembly according to claim 6; providing a frame affixed with hangingmeans for hanging said frame; affixing and locking said hanging bodyinto position utilizing said mounting assembly; engaging said hangingmeans with said hanger body.
 11. The method of claim 10 furthercomprising: removing said engaged hanging means; unlocking said hangingbody; changing the position of said mounting body; affixing and lockingsaid hanging body into position utilizing said mounting assembly;engaging said hanging means with said hanger body.